Live-in requirement for foreign caregivers in Canada now optional

The Canadian government has announced significant reforms to the Caregiver Program that acknowledges the valuable contributions caregivers make to Canadian families and the economy.

According to Canada’s Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, changes to the program include making it optional for caregivers to live with their employer, and providing eligible caregivers with two pathways that will lead to permanent residence within six months.

"We have listened to the concerns of caregivers across Canada and have taken action to improve Canada’s Caregiver Program," Alexander said.

"With our improvements caregivers will be provided with more pathways towards permanent residence and will have the tools they need to achieve success in the Canadian labour market," he added.

One pathway features criteria for child care providers that are very similar to current requirements, but without the need for the caregiver to live in the home of their employer where they may be vulnerable to abuse.

In addition, eligible caregivers in a variety of health care occupations, including registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates and home support workers, would be able to gain their work experience either in providing in-home care or care in a health-care facility to an elderly person or a person with a disability or chronic medical condition.

Alexander said the second pathway offers more career options for eligible caregivers, and targets workers in occupations that are expected to face labor shortages in the future.

Applications in this stream would also be processed within six months, as the Canadian government takes aggressive action to reduce the backlog of applications for permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program.

Both pathways will have a cap on applications of 2,750 each year starting 2015, excluding spouses and dependants.

As part of the 2015 Levels Plan tabled recently in the House of Commons, Canada will welcome 30,000 new permanent residents in this category.

Reducing the backlog and processing times will mean that eligible caregivers will be reunited sooner with their families.

Caregivers who have already applied for Live-in Caregiver Program work permits, and any who apply based on an employer’s approved Labour Market Impact Assessment submitted before November 30, will also be able to complete the work requirement on a live-in basis and eventually apply for permanent residence. --KBK, GMA News

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

POPCOM, gagamit ng ‘digital platforms’ para pagtibayin ang mga ugnayang pampamilya

Selling of balikbayan boxes online part of deal between sender, firm —BOC By JOAHNA LEI CASILAO, GMA Integrated News

Dozens injured after train derails in Netherlands: emergency services --- Agence France-Presse